Lock



l E. N. JAcoBl Feb. 9, 1937.

LOCK

Filed Aug'. 9, Y1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1A y? M) (5A/@37 Patented Feb. 9,1937 PATE LOCK

Application August 9, 1935, Serial No. 35,492

12 Claims.

This invention relates to locks and refers more particularly to steeringpost locks for automobiles.

In locks of this type, a sliding bolt is operable to and from lockingengagement with the steering column by the same key controlled lockwhich serves to lock the ignition switch against actuation. The lockcylinder is mounted with its inner end adjacent the side of the bolt andhas a driving connection with the bolt comprising an eccentric camdriven by the cylinder and received in a keeper recess in the bolt. Tokeep down the over-all size of the locking mechanism, the space allottedto the driving connection be- 15 tween the cylinder and the bolt isnecessarily small, which introduces diiliculties in the design of thedriving connection.

Another important element which must be taken into consideration in thedesign of the driving connection is the fact that the bolt has a throwgreater than it is possible to impart thereto by a' cam lying within thediameter of the cylinder so that the cam must extend or overhang thecylinder diameter.

These requirements coupled with the fact that the cylinder must beremovable and that the driving connection must be so designed andconstructed as to reduce the possibility of wear to a minimum hasintroduced factors difcult to cope with.

In the past,l the driving connection between the cylinder and the boltincorporated an adaptor rotatably mounted in the inner end of the lockcasing and to which the eccentric cam was permanently attached.Removability oi the lock cylinder was provided by having the connectionbetween the cylinder and the adaptor separable. This construction wasdiiiicult to assemble as it required a predetermined position ofrotation on the part ci the adaptor and also increased the cost of thelock assembly.

With the above and other objections to the past lock assemblies oi thischaracter in mind, this invention has as one of its objects to providean improved construction which obviates the need for an adaptor and inwhich the driving connection between the cylinder and the eccentric camis direct.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock assembly of thecharacter described which is designed so as to facilitate assembly ofthe parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock assembly of thecharacter described which is so designed that regardless of inevitableplay in the parts comprising the driving connection between the cylinderand the locking bolt, a firm t will be maintained at all times to reducethe possibility of wear to a minimum.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock structure of thecharacter described which is stronger against outward stresses appliedto the cylinder as in an attempt to destroy the lock.

With the above and other objects in View which will appear as thedescription proceeds, this in- 10 vention resides in the novelconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially ashereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appendedclaims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodi- 15ment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within thescope of the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one complete example of thephysical embodiment of the invention constructed according to the best20 mode so far devised for the practical application of the principlesthereof, and in which:

Figure l is a section View through a lock assembly embodying thisinvention showing the same in its unlocked position;

Figure 2 is a section view through Figure 1 on the plane of the line 22;

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the lock cylinder, its sleeve and thecam roller;

Figure 4 is a section View similar to Figure 2 but with the cylinderremoved and showing the manner of assembling the cam roller with thebolt; and

Figure 5 is a perspective View of the tool provided for inserting thecam roller, as shown in 35 Figure 4.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in whichlike numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, thenumeral 5 designates the body of the lock mecha- 40 nism which isdesigned to embrace a steering column in the conventional manner.Inasmuch as this invention is not concerned with the particularconstruction of the lock body and its relationship to the steeringcolumn and the associated 45 mechanism, these elements have not beenshown.

The body 5 has a bore E in which a bolt 'l is slidable to lock thesteering column (not shown) and the ignition switch (also not shown).The bolt 'l besides being slidable to effect this dual 50 lockingfunction is rotatable by a lever 8 attached thereto for opening andclosing the ignition switch when the bolt is in its outermost projectedor unlocked position shown in Figure 1.

The actual locking engagement with the steer- 55 ing post is effected bya pin 9 slidably disposed within a bore Il) in the bolt and yieldinglyurged outwardly thereof by a spring I I confined between the inner endof the pin and the bottom of the bore. This arrangement enables the bolt'i to be moved to its locked position even though the steering columnmay not be turned to align its keeper recess with the axis of the bolt.

To retract the pin 9 with the outward unlocking movement of the bolt l,a stop I2 is iixed to the bolt and engages with an abutment formed bythe outer end of a recess i3 in the side of the pin.

Intersecting the bore ii, the body 5 has a bore I4 counterbored at itsouter end as at I5. A lock sleeve I6 is xed in the bore I4 by a pin ll.The outer end of the sleeve terminates flush with the bottom of thecounterbore I5 and its inner end is spaced a short distance from theside of the bolt, as shown.

The sleeve I6 has a lock cylinder i8 rotatably received in its bore I9,the outer enlarged head 2l) of the cylinder being disposed in thecounterbore I5. The cylinder is held against withdrawal from the sleeveby a lug 2| projecting into its bore 29 to be received in an annulargroove 22 in the inner end portion of the cylinder. To enable engagementof the lug 2| inthe annular groove 22 during insertion of the cylinder,a gateway 23 opening to the extreme inner end of the cylindercommunicates with the annular groove. The annular groove and the gateway23 together form a bayonet slot and obviously the engagement of the lug2l therewith is possible only when the cylinder is in a predeterminedposition of rotation with respect to the sleeve.

Within the normal limits of rotation of the cylinder during theperformance of its locking functions, the cylinder does not reach thisposition at which the gateway 23 aligns with the lug 2 l. These normallimits of rotation of the cylinder are dened by the engagement of a stoplug 24 on the inner face of the cylinder head 29 abutting cooperatingabutments on the sleeve IG. The sleeve abutment incorporates adepressible pin 29 which upon depression by a tool inserted through ahole in the head of the cylinder permits the passage of the abutment 2dand allows rotation of the cylinder beyond one of its normal limits to apoint aligning the gateway with the lug 2|.

As long as the gateway 23 is not aligned with the lug 2 I, the cylinderis held against withdrawal from the casing by the ange through which thegateway extends. Heretofore, no attempt was made to strengthen thisflange and it was found that the lock was often destroyed by an outwardpull exerted on the cylinder, this being done by screwing a lag screwinto the mouth of the keyway and applying a wheel puller thereto. Toguard against this possibility, the inner end of the lock cylinder isreinforced by a lug 28 and an eccentric post or lug 29 which serves todrivingly connect the cylinder and the bolt 'I in a manner to behereinafter more fully described.

As will be readily apparent, the presence of the lug 28 and eccentricpost 29 provides a substantial body of metal back of the ange at theinner end of the cylinder and thus precludes shearing oif part of theflange by an outward pull on the cylinder.

Rotation of the cylinder is normally prevented by tumblers 30 movableldiametrically through the cylinder and yieldingly projectible intodiametrically opposite tumbler receiving grooves 3i in the casing. Thetumblers are retractible out of the grooves by the insertion of a properkey 32 to free the cylinder for rotation.

It will be observed that the eccentric driving lug 29 is at the extremeedge of the cylinder and that it is so disposed on the lock cylinderthat at both limits of rotation of the lock cylinder (one hundred andeighty degrees), the lug 2S in line with the axis of the sliding bolt'a' So that the maximum throw of the eccentric lug is utilized foractuating the bolt.

However, the amount of motion which can be produced by a cam lyingentirely within the m" eter of the cylinder is insuiiicient and does notmove the bolt its required distance. Consequently, the effective throwof the eccentric driving lug must be increased and this is accomplishedby the provision of a cam roller 33.

The cam roller has an outside diameter substantially greater than thatof the eccentric driving lug so that it extends a substantial distancebeyond the diameter of the cylinder. @ne end portion 3e of the roller isreceived in a keeper recess 35 in the bolt l. This end portion oi thecam roller is slightly smaller in outside diameter than its remainingportion 35 to provide an abrupt shoulder 3l medially of the length ofthe roller which engages with the curved surface of the bolt at thesides of the keeper recess 35 to limit the longitudinal drift of the camroller on its eccentric driving post 2S.

However, even though the parts be fitted as closely as adequateclearance will permit, a substantial degree of longitudinal drift orrelative endwise motion between the cam roller and its eccentric drivinglug cannot be avoided. This together with the fact that the driving lugmust be tapered at its outer end to facilitate its insertion into thecam roller during assembly of the parts and as the length of the rolleris limited by he restricted space between the inner end of the cylinderand the side of the bolt, a uniform ternal diameter of the cam rollerwould result i a condition where the application of force on rollerduring the actuation of the bolt might a tendency to cock or tip theroller on driving lug thus causing excessive wear.

To overcome this objectionable possibility and at the same time provideeffective means for piloting the driving lug into the cam roller, theinternal diameter of the cam roller is not uniform but has a smalldiameter iii at one end .and a iarge internal diameter di at its otherend connected by a tapered bore 42. The outside diameter of theeccentric driving lug or post 29 corresponds to these inside diametersor the roller so that whe the post is inserted into the roller to.fullest extent, all portions of the multiple diameter' bore of the camroller will be properly engaged with the corresponding portions of thedriving post.

This multiple diameter of the post and cem roller bore eliminates thenecessity for a tapered or beveled end on the post for the salie orpilot-- ing the sam-e into the roller and provides construction wherebya journal support will be maintained at both ends of the cam rollerthroughout the range of permitted relative longitudinal niotion betweenthe roller and the driving post. Tipping or cooking of the roller on itspost is thus prevented.

In assembling the lock mechanism, the cam roller is disposed in thechamber between the inner end of the casing and the side of the boit bymeans of a tool 43. This tool consists a rod having an end portionthereof slab..cd :.iat 44 and bifurcated to provide two spring ngers.

The outer extremities of these fingers are shaped to engage in the boreof the cam roller and hold the roller on the tool as shown in Figure 4.Through the medium of this tool, the cam roller is easily insertedthrough the bore of the lock casing into proper engagement with thekeeper recess of the bore. Then with the roller so positioned, the tool43 is Withdrawn and the cylinder inserted in the usual manner.

In view of the correlative shapes of the lug 29 and the bore of the camroller, engagement of the lug in the bore of the roller during insertionof the cylinder is facilitated.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art towhich this invention appertains, that this invention provides asubstantial improvement in the driving connection between the lockcylinder and bolt of steering post locks and that as a result of thisimprovement, assembly of the lock mechanism is materially facilitatedand the cost thereof is reduced. It is also apparent that this inventionadds to the security of the lock by strengthening the same againstforced outward withdrawal of the lock cylinder.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In a lock assembly of the character described, a body havingintersecting bores, a bolt slidable in one bore, a lock cylinderrotatable in the other bore with its inner end spaced from the side ofthe bolt, an eccentric post projecting from the inner end of thecylinder as an integral part thereof, and a cam roller disposed in achamber between the inner end of the cylinder and the side of the boltand confined against displacement by the bolt and one wall of thechamber with a portion thereof received in a keeper recess in the boltand having a bore to receive the post, said post being at the extremeedge of the cylinder whereby the roller overhangs the diameter of thecylinder and is operable by rotation of the cylinder to slide the bolt asubstantial distance.

2. In a lock assembly of the character described, a body havingintersecting bores, a sliding bolt in one bore, key controlled means foractuating the bolt disposed in the other bore and comprising a sleevefixed in said second designated bore with its inner end spaced from theside of the bolt, a lock cylinder slidably insertable into the sleeveand rotatable therein, a cam roller in the inner end of the seconddesignated bore between the inner end of the sleeve and the bolt andconfined against displacement by the bolt and the inner end of thesleeve with a part extending into a recess in the side of the bolt, theouter diameter of said roller being such that when the roller rests inposition, its bore is directly accessible irom the bore of the sleeve,and an eccentric driving post projecting from the inner end of thecylinder and readily insertable into the cam .roller as. the cylinder isinserted into the sleeve. said driving post being on the extreme edge ofthe cylinder so that the cam roller extends beyond the diameter of thecylinder.

3. In a lock assembly of the character described, a body havingintersecting bores, a bolt slidable in one bore, a lock sleeve fixed inthe other bore with its inner end spaced from the side of the bolt, alock cylinder slidably insertable into the sleeve and rotatably securedtherein with the inner end of the cylinder proper substantially iiushwith the inner end of the sleeve,

a cam post extended from the inner end of the cylinder as an integralpart thereof across said space between the casing and the side of thebolt, and a cam roller readily removably mounted on said post and heldthereon by being confined between the side of the bolt and the inner endof the sleeve, said cam roller having an outer diameter such that withthe roller resting on the wall of the bore in which the sleeve issecured the cam post may be aligned therewith for direct insertion intothe roller as the cylinder is inserted into the sleeve and an endportion on the cam roller disposed in a keeper recess in the bolt sothat rotation of the cylinder imparts sliding movement to the bolt.

Li. In a lock assembly of the character described, a body havingintersecting bores, a bolt sldable in one bore, a lock sleeve iiXed inthe other bore with its inner end spaced from the side of the bolt todene a chamber at the inner end of the sleeve, a lock @cylinderrotatably mounted in the sleeve and insertable from the outer endthereof, an eccentric driving lug projecting from the inner end of thecylinder an integral part thereof, and a cam roller positionable in saidspace at the inner end of the sleeve through the bore in the sleeve witha part thereof extending into a keeper recess in the bolt, said camroller having a bore to receive the eccentric driving lug on thecylinder as the cylinder is inserted into the sleeve and being confinedagainst displacement by the side of the bolt and the inner end of thesleeve, said roller being of such diameter that when resting on the wallof the chamber bore it is in line with` the driving lug to directlyreceive the same upon insertion of the cylinder.

5. In a lock assembly of the character described, a body havingintersecting bores, a boit slidable in one bore, a lock sleeve fixed inthe other bore with its inner end spaced from the side of the bolt todefine a chamber, cam roller positioned in said chamber by beinginserted through the bore in the sleeve with a portion thereof receivedin a keeper recess in the bolt and confined against displacement by theside of the bolt and the inner end of the sleeve, a lock cylinderrotatable in the sleeve and insertable therein from the outer endthereof, and an eccentric driving lug projecting from the inner end ofthe cylinder as an integral part thereof to engage in a bore in the camroller and provide a driving connection between the cylinder and rollerby Which the roller and cylinder are connected with the roller extendingbeyond the diameter of the cylinder.

6. In a lock assembly of the character described, a rotatable lockcylinder, an eccentric driving post projecting from the end of thecylinder as an integral part thereof, a cam roller bored to receive thepost, said post having an outer end portion smaller in diameter than itsbase portion, and the bore in the cam roller having portions ofcorresponding different diameters so that a firm bearing is providedbetween the post and roller near the ends of the roller throughout adegree of relative endwise motion between the cam roller and the postand at the same time engagement of the post into the bore of the rolleris facilitated by the piloting effect of the small diameter outer end ofthe post entering the large diameter portion of the roller bore.

7. In a lock assembly of the character described, a body havingintersecting bores, a bolt siidable in one bore and having a keeperrecess in its side accessible from the other bore, a cam rollerpositionable in the inner end of the other bore with a portion thereofreceived in the keeper recess of the bolt, a lock cylinder to drive thecam roller rotatable in said other bore and insertable therein from itsouter end, and an eccentric driving post projecting from the inner endof the cylinder as an integral part thereof and received in a bore inthe cam roller, the post having an cuter end portion of smaller diameterthan its base portion and the bore in the cam roller having portions ofcorresponding large and small diameters so that insertion of the postinto the bore the roller is facilitated by the piloting effect of thesmall outer end portion of the post entering the large diameter part ofthe bore in the roller, and said large and small diameter portions ofboth the post and the bore in the roller being parallel with the axis ofthe post and roller so that firm bearings are maintained at oppositeends of the roller throughout a degree of relative longitudinal movementbetween the post and roller.

3. n a lock assembly of the character described, a body havingintersecting bores, a bolt slidable in one bore and having a keeperrecess in its side accessible from the other bore, a rotatable lockcylinder in said other bore with its inner end spaced from the side ofthe bolt, said cylinder being insertable into said other bore throughthe open outer end thereof, an eccentric driving post extending from theinner end of the lock cylinder as an integral part thereof andprojecting into the keeper recess in the bolt, and a cam rollerjournalled on said post and held thereon by being confined between theinner end of the cylinder and the side of the bolt, part of said rollerextending into and having close enpost and roller permitted by thenecessary play in the parts while at the same time a piloting effect isobtained to facilitate engagement of the post in the bere of the roller.

9. ln a lock assembly of the character described, a body havingintersecting bores, a bolt slidable in one bore and having a keeperrecess in its side accessible from the other bore, a lock sleeve fixedin said other bore with its inner end spaced from the side of the boltto define a chamber, a lock cylinder rotatable in the sleeve andinsertable through the outer open end thereof, the inner end of thecylinder being substantially iiush with the adjacent inner end of thesleeve, an eccentric driving post extending from the inner end of thecylinder as an integral part thereof and A rejecting into the keeperrecess in the bolt, and a cam roller disposed in said chamber at theinner end of the sleeve with a portion thereof snugly received in thekeeper recess of the bolt and having a bore to rotatably receive thedriving post,

said driving post being at the extreme edge of the cylinder so that thecam roller extends beyond the diameter of the cylinder, and said camroller being held on the driving post by being confined between theinner ends of the cylinder and sleeve and side of the bolt and the borein the cam roller as well as the outside diameter of the post being ofmultiple diameter with the outer end portion of the post of smallestdiameter so as to afford a rm bearing between the cam roller and postthroughout a degree of endwise displacement between the roller and thepost permitted by the play in the parts while at the same timeengagement of the post in the bore of the roller is facilitated by thepiloting effect of the small end of the post entering the large diameterof the roller bore.

l0. In a lock assembly of the character clescribed, a bored lock casing,a cylinder rotatable in the casing, said cylinder having an annulargroove adjacent its inner end so that the metal left between the grooveand the inner end forms a narrow flange, a lug extending into the casingbore to be received in said annular groove to hold the cylinder in thecasing, said lug being engageable in the groove when the cylinder is ina predetermined position of rotation through a gateway in the narrowflange leading to the groove, and a plurality of lugs extending from theinner end of the cylinder as integral parts thereof to strengthen thenarrow flange, and one of said lugs providing an eccentric driving postfor translating rotation of the lock cylinder into sliding movement onthe part of instrumentalities to be controlled by the lock, saideccentric driving post being adapted to receive a roller and beingseparated from the other lugs to accommodate wall thickness of suchroller.

ll. In a lock device, a key operable rotatable lock cylinder, aneccentric driving lug projecting from one end of the cylinder, and a camroller removably mounted on said driving lug, said driving lug being ofmultiple diameter with its smallest diameter outermost, and the earnroller having a bore of corresponding multiple diameter so as to providea firm bearing between the lug and roller at opposite ends of the rollerbore while at the same time facilitating engagement of the lug in theroller bore by the piloting effect of the small diameter end of the lugentering the large diameter end of the roller bore.

l2. In a lock device, a rotatable lock cylinder, an eccentric drivinglug projecting from the cylindcr as an integral part thereof throughwhich rotation of the lock cylinder may be translated into slidingmovement of a part to be actuated, and a cam roller removably androtatably disposed on said lug, said lug having a large diameter innerend portion and a small diameter outer end portion connected by a medialtapered portion, and the cam roller having a multiple diameter borecorresponding in size and shape to the eccentric lug so as to provide rmjournal bearings at opposite ends of the roller and at the same timefacilitate engagement of the lug in the bore of the roller through thepiloting action of its inner end entering the large diameter end of thebore in the roller.

EDWARD N. JACOBI.

